266. Walking into a lily-scented sanctuary.
267. Sweet little girls in adorable Easter dresses.
268. Singing my favorite Easter hymns.
269. Standing next to someone who can hold a note during the Hallelujah Chorus.
270. A great sermon.
271. Adorable boys in coordinating Easter outfits....that I didn't even try to coordinate!
272. Spending a great afternoon with family.
273. Carrot cake cupcakes made from scratch- that turned out amazing.
274. A great Easter well-head picture of our growing family.
275. Knowing that my Savior conquered death and the devil. Looking forward to spending an eternity thanking Him for it.
Happy Easter!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday 5QF
Just a year ago tonight we broke the news to Dave's parents that we were expecting #3.
Dave showed our ultrasound picture to his dad and asked him if it looked like a boy or a girl.
Their first question was how did we get a copy of his brother's baby's ultrasound picture?
(they were also pregnant, and were about 4 weeks ahead of us, so they were already out!)
Then,
then.....they got it.
Dave's dad jumped up and down and said, "IT'S A GOOD GOOD FRIDAY!"
One of my favorite reactions of pregnancy announcements ever. :)
What a difference a year makes.
On another note, today is Good Friday...
It's hard to celebrate Easter without first recognizing Good Friday.
This always gives me chills.
Ok, now to have a wee little bit of fun!
1. How often should adults have birthday parties?
I think the big milestones can be celebrated. I'm only in my 30's....but I remember the whole "30th birthday" thing was BIG to celebrate. Surprise parties were pretty popular...
...I'd imagine surprise parties loose their spunk as the milestones pile up...wouldn't want to cause a heart attack for the person of honor, right?!?!?
2. What was your room decorated like when you were a child?
Pink, pink and more pink!
My first bedroom was Holly Hobbie wallpaper with white and pink furniture and pink bedspreads.
Then, I got sick of that wall paper, and then my mom put up different wallpaper...
more pink. Flowers this time.
Can you tell my mom loved having a daughter?!?!?
3. Do you have any traditions for Easter? If so, what? and do you have a why behind that?
If you've read this blog for any time whatsoever, you'll know that Dave and I are pretty much anti-commercialists. The whole "The Easter Bunny brought you a crap load of candy and toys!" doesn't sit well in our stomachs.
And then...one night early last February, Dave killed the Easter Bunny. The boys were talking about toys they wanted, and A. mentioned that they just needed to wait until Easter to get them. Dave asked them what Easter was about, and THREE TIMES they said, "The Easter Bunny."
Then...he lowered the boom.
"Boys, the Easter Bunny doesn't exist."
Blink...
blink...
Dave: "Now....Why do we celebrate Easter?"
Boys: "Oh! Jesus! He conquered sin and the devil!"
Look at that, we kill the Easter Bunny and Jesus shines through. :)
So, each child (except Baby L.- who will be getting a stuffed one this year) will have a chocolate bunny in the morning, and we'll head to church for Easter Breakfast, worship and then a family dinner.
We're hosting for the first time this year.
Wish me luck.
Easter egg hunt to follow. :)
4. Do you get Good Friday off? If so, any plans?
Thanks to the awesome school our kids go to, they have Good Friday off. I'm actually still working today...with three kids here with me. (Pray for me!). We'll head to church as a family tonight.
5. Did you wear hats & white shoes to church on Easter? (Or was that just in the South?)
I wonder if that's a regional thing or a generational thing? I remember having them a few times as a child (here in the Mitten, so not just a south thing). But, I've only seen them sporadically on little girls....but since I have boys, I really haven't paid too much attention....perhaps I'll have to keep my eyes open on Sunday!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Laugh, laugh, laugh.
This is one of my favorites. I can't stop laughing....SALUTE!
Friggin special. Ha!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
I'm still standing
Are you familiar with the Elton John song, "I'm still standing?"
Yes, I just totally aged myself.
I'm cool with that.
I love this song...and in case you can't remember the song...here ya go:
That's kinda how I'm feeling lately.
Daily struggles,
sleep deprivation,
a crying baby,
chronic fatigue,
a chest cough that won't leave (after 4 weeks),
the new onslaught of a cold,
siblings fighting,
the doldrums of a never-ending winter...
I'm still standing.
As a matter of fact, this song is also at the tail end of my workout mix.
I pushed through, and
I'm still standing.
This could be a good song to send to anyone going through a hard time right now.
I know a lot of people who are struggling with things:
big changes,
cancer,
death,
fear of loosing a job,
nasty things people say about them,
eviction,
financial worries.
Whatever the "thing," big or small....
in the end, with God on our side, we're all still standing.
And the oxymoron of using an Elton John song to get my religious point across doesn't escape me...
Yes, I just totally aged myself.
I'm cool with that.
I love this song...and in case you can't remember the song...here ya go:
That's kinda how I'm feeling lately.
Daily struggles,
sleep deprivation,
a crying baby,
chronic fatigue,
a chest cough that won't leave (after 4 weeks),
the new onslaught of a cold,
siblings fighting,
the doldrums of a never-ending winter...
I'm still standing.
As a matter of fact, this song is also at the tail end of my workout mix.
I pushed through, and
I'm still standing.
This could be a good song to send to anyone going through a hard time right now.
I know a lot of people who are struggling with things:
big changes,
cancer,
death,
fear of loosing a job,
nasty things people say about them,
eviction,
financial worries.
Whatever the "thing," big or small....
in the end, with God on our side, we're all still standing.
And the oxymoron of using an Elton John song to get my religious point across doesn't escape me...
....but He can work all things out for His good, right?
I'm still standing.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Blessings {251-265}
251. Getting out of the shower to hear my 5 year old son consoling his 5 month old baby sister by singing her a hymn. And he was successful at getting her to quiet down.
252. Watching Baby L. discover new things. Like how to pull down the toy on her car seat...over and over and over again. Or watching her try to grab the stream of water as it falls on her belly during bath time.
253. The smell of a freshly bathed, freshly pajama'd baby. Ooooohhhhh, bliss!
254. Watching my husband's friends oogle over Baby L. and carry her around church protectively as if she was their own sweet cherub.
255. Friends who share AWESOME cute baby shoes with me.
256. Friends who can be just as snarky as I am.
257. A father-in-law who works for the same company - so I can call him (anytime) with questions.
258. Clean plates and no fights at dinnertime.
259. DVR. Now I can watch The Pioneer Woman anytime!
260. Kids that can get themselves dressed.
261. A husband who helps discipline the kids.
262. Listening to my husband coo to his daughter. Ohhhh sweetness.
263. The burn in my lungs after a nice outdoor walk.
264. Cuddling with the husband.
265. Throwing "whatever is in the fridge" in a pan, calling it a casserole, and having it turn out awesome.
252. Watching Baby L. discover new things. Like how to pull down the toy on her car seat...over and over and over again. Or watching her try to grab the stream of water as it falls on her belly during bath time.
253. The smell of a freshly bathed, freshly pajama'd baby. Ooooohhhhh, bliss!
254. Watching my husband's friends oogle over Baby L. and carry her around church protectively as if she was their own sweet cherub.
255. Friends who share AWESOME cute baby shoes with me.
256. Friends who can be just as snarky as I am.
257. A father-in-law who works for the same company - so I can call him (anytime) with questions.
258. Clean plates and no fights at dinnertime.
259. DVR. Now I can watch The Pioneer Woman anytime!
260. Kids that can get themselves dressed.
261. A husband who helps discipline the kids.
262. Listening to my husband coo to his daughter. Ohhhh sweetness.
263. The burn in my lungs after a nice outdoor walk.
264. Cuddling with the husband.
265. Throwing "whatever is in the fridge" in a pan, calling it a casserole, and having it turn out awesome.
Friday, March 22, 2013
5QF - no regrets edition
I went out with a great group of ladies last night.
Since we had a late get-together, I ate a taco with my family at dinner time.
Then I met the ladies at 7:30.
I had an adult beverage....my first since ....well, probably since Baby L's conception.
Then...as everyone else ordered entrees, I went straight for the kill.
So, there I sit...
I enjoyed every bite.
And every drink.
And the ladies I was talking with.
Then- as invoices are being doled out- I got a text from Dave:
So...thanks to the sugar rush and caffeine buzz, I had the stamina to handle Baby L. and her issues.
They are coming in one right after the other.
Then I was awake until 2am...when she woke for a feeding.
Then I laid awake until 4am...
...then as I started to fall asleep, my stomach started a revolt due to all the sugar and rich foods.
then the heartburn from the cider.
Seriously...
No regrets, though....it was so good.
1. What advice would you give a newly married couple?
Focus on the positive. I spent too many days, nights, weeks, months, years...focusing on the negative parts of our relationship, and the negative quirks of my husband that I wanted "changed." If I had only spent those days encouraging him instead of "changing" him, we would have been stronger sooner. But, we're AWESOME now...doesn't get much better than this.
(And I'm the president of his fan club. )
2. Who does more laundry around your house?
It's a pretty even split between Dave and me. He'll grab the dirty hampers as they fill, and throw them in the washer, and sometimes put them in the dryer as well. Otherwise, I'll dry them, fold them and put them away. Then, if there's ironing, I do that too (but only once every 3 years....judging by the size khakis I found at the bottom of the pile last week).
3. What items, if any, do you prefer to buy organic or make yourself?
I prefer to buy as much organic produce as the budget will allow. I try to compensate for it by making our baked goods myself. I especially try to make their lunch treats...but occasionally, I'll purchase Honey Made stuffed cracker as a treat.
Foods that have their own hard shell (oranges, grapefruit, etc), I don't need to purchase organically. But apples and grapes I don't make any exceptions for...organic all the way.
4. What book/TV series would you recommend for a friend on bedrest?
Television: I'm a sucker for Downton Abbey. I also loved Pretty Little Liars because it freaked me out. We love Storm Chasers- particularly because Reed Timmer is from the Mitten (actually about 20 minutes away from where I live now).
Books: I'm a sucker for some easy to read fiction. I enjoy Debbie Maccomber books because she's super easy to read, has fun story lines, some mystery involved, writes series that are easy and fun to follow, and has a strong moral compass. There's a Cedar Cove series that is about 12 books long and will keep you occupied for a few weeks! Good luck, Kristina!
5. So, they say it's Spring now...what does your "spring" look like at this very moment?
Cold. Darn cold.
Snowy.
Blowy snowy.
It's Michigan...so I know not to expect anything different....
but seriously....COME ON!
Since we had a late get-together, I ate a taco with my family at dinner time.
Then I met the ladies at 7:30.
I had an adult beverage....my first since ....well, probably since Baby L's conception.
Then...as everyone else ordered entrees, I went straight for the kill.
Twisted chocolate dessert.
So, there I sit...
glass of water,
Hard cider (blueberry...made right here in the Mitten)
and a HUGE dessert.
I enjoyed every bite.
And every drink.
And the ladies I was talking with.
Then- as invoices are being doled out- I got a text from Dave:
"You coming home soon?"
Me: "Yes, soon...."
Him: "45 minutes of straight screaming"
Me: "On my way."
So...thanks to the sugar rush and caffeine buzz, I had the stamina to handle Baby L. and her issues.
Darn teeth.
They are coming in one right after the other.
Then I was awake until 2am...when she woke for a feeding.
Then I laid awake until 4am...
...then as I started to fall asleep, my stomach started a revolt due to all the sugar and rich foods.
then the heartburn from the cider.
Seriously...
WHEN DID I GET SO OLD?!?!?!?
No regrets, though....it was so good.
Focus on the positive. I spent too many days, nights, weeks, months, years...focusing on the negative parts of our relationship, and the negative quirks of my husband that I wanted "changed." If I had only spent those days encouraging him instead of "changing" him, we would have been stronger sooner. But, we're AWESOME now...doesn't get much better than this.
(And I'm the president of his fan club. )
It's a pretty even split between Dave and me. He'll grab the dirty hampers as they fill, and throw them in the washer, and sometimes put them in the dryer as well. Otherwise, I'll dry them, fold them and put them away. Then, if there's ironing, I do that too (but only once every 3 years....judging by the size khakis I found at the bottom of the pile last week).
3. What items, if any, do you prefer to buy organic or make yourself?
I prefer to buy as much organic produce as the budget will allow. I try to compensate for it by making our baked goods myself. I especially try to make their lunch treats...but occasionally, I'll purchase Honey Made stuffed cracker as a treat.
Television: I'm a sucker for Downton Abbey. I also loved Pretty Little Liars because it freaked me out. We love Storm Chasers- particularly because Reed Timmer is from the Mitten (actually about 20 minutes away from where I live now).
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Top ten: Lesser known "things" about me...
I'm not really a person of mystery. Really...
I'm an open book for the most part.
There's a few tricks up my sleeve: things no one knows, things one person knows, things few people know, etc. But there's also funky things that not many people know....so here's my list:
1. I cannot eat bananas. I love them. I miss them, but I cannot eat them. They cause the WORST migraines. Seriously...worst. Like, half my face and body goes numb and slumps, I loose peripheral vision, and end up in the Dr. office doing "stroke" testing....really, that bad. No bananas for me. :(
2. I'm a bit of a grammar snob. I blame my parochial schooling on that. Anyone else know how to diagram a sentence? If so, you are my soul mate. (Also, you're, your...two different things- and while I'm at it two, too, and to....If you use them incorrectly, I will secretly judge you).
3. I am registered as a democrat. (GASP!!!!!) Yes, Dave married me anyway. I registered right at the tender age of 18- while in my freshman year of college and very impressionable from peers and misinformed college professors. It wasn't until took a sociology class and we had to write a final paper about "why modern day housekeepers are nothing more than indentured servants" did I realize that I was truly a capitalist at heart. I got an "F" on that paper- because I said that housekeepers were really entrepreneurs in having enough integrity to see a demand and starting a business to fill that demand. The professor wrote on my paper, "There's no room for conservatives in this class." I took it to the head of the school of business and he overwrote my grade. Ha....
4. I cannot sleep with socks on. If I do, I will wake up in a horrible sweat from nightmares. Easy equation: socks = nightmares. So, I go to bed with freezing feet and migrate them over the center line to infiltrate Dave's cocoon. :) (He always yells, but I know he secretly LOVES it. Yes, yes he does...I keep telling him that every night too).
5. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I know eventually I'll have to get a full time job and once again contribute to the financial well-being of this household. I also know that I'm not for sitting in my basement office (without windows) and entering numbers and more numbers. This job is fantastic while my kids are young and in school, but my right brain would probably strangle me if I made a career from it. I am not a left-brained person. I can get by, but it's not my passion. I'd LOVE to find something I'm passionate at and run with a career from there. I don't need to make a lot of money- that's not my god. Just enough to get by. And do something I believe in.
6. I have a photographic memory, but am TERRIBLE at remembering names. I can read a book, and remember what the pages look like when trying to recall a fact or piece of information. Which is why I always did so well at spelling and memory work in school. I can remember faces, but not names. Seriously...there's a lady at church. I keep calling her Vicki. It's not her name. I know it's not her name, but I cannot remember her name. So, I call her Vicki.
7. I am scared of pencilled in eyebrows. Yes, I'm weird. In my whole life, I've only seen ONE person do them correctly- and that was VERY recent. Seriously...if you have pencilled in eye brows, I cannot make eye contact with you. I will seriously stare at them the entire conversation. This is fine if we're talking across the room- you only see I'm looking in the "direction" of your eyes....but up close....well, that gets awkward. But I cannot tear my eyes away. They FREAK ME OUT!
8. I do not consider myself a "trendy" person. As a matter of fact, if you call me trendy, I may just take it as an insult. I would much rather consider myself a practical person with my own sense of style rather than use my family's money to look like everyone else for a season or two. I would have to be so selfish. HOWEVER, I do not consider "trendy" to be a bad thing when talking about others. Weird, huh? As a matter of fact, I have beautiful friends who are ALWAYS in the latest trends, and they are adorable. I actually love and appreciate this about them. Just not for me.
9. I was shocked a few weeks ago to find out that I'm an intimidating person. What the WHAT??? Apparently, my inner strength intimidates people. Sorry...I do have a sense of who I am, and I'm not going to change it. I know what I believe in, I know what I stand for. Sorry if that freaks your wishy-washy butt out. I don't think being a "hot mess" is cool....nor is it anything to brag about. I get overwhelmed, I drop the ball from time to time. I am far from perfect. But, I am who I am. I do my best. That's all I can do. I"m ok with imperfection, I'm ok with "incomplete."
10. I get "gut feelings." I listen to them. I've learned to, at least. I inherit this from my dad. When I was younger, I'd bring a new friend home and he'd sometimes say, "Stay clear of that girl, pumpkin. She's not good news." Of course, being obstinate, I'd disregard his warning and sure enough....I'd get burned. Later in life, I've learned to listen to those gut feelings about people and situations. Friends who I need to keep at an arm's length or people I just need to steer clear from all together. An example of this gut feeling is waaaaay back when I was in college, my grandma was in the hospital. I was in a marketing class...and all of a sudden, I knew I had to call the hospital. I got up, went to the nearest pay phone (this was 1998....), and called the hospital where they told me that my grandmother passed away just a few minutes prior and I missed my mom leaving by mere seconds. I knew she was gone before I even called. The first night that I officially met Dave, I knew he was going to be my husband. Not wishful thinking....I just knew. There was nothing to rush...but we weren't going to dilly dally around it either. When the gut knows, the gut knows.
Do you have funky little quirks that few people know about?
I'm an open book for the most part.
There's a few tricks up my sleeve: things no one knows, things one person knows, things few people know, etc. But there's also funky things that not many people know....so here's my list:
1. I cannot eat bananas. I love them. I miss them, but I cannot eat them. They cause the WORST migraines. Seriously...worst. Like, half my face and body goes numb and slumps, I loose peripheral vision, and end up in the Dr. office doing "stroke" testing....really, that bad. No bananas for me. :(
2. I'm a bit of a grammar snob. I blame my parochial schooling on that. Anyone else know how to diagram a sentence? If so, you are my soul mate. (Also, you're, your...two different things- and while I'm at it two, too, and to....If you use them incorrectly, I will secretly judge you).
3. I am registered as a democrat. (GASP!!!!!) Yes, Dave married me anyway. I registered right at the tender age of 18- while in my freshman year of college and very impressionable from peers and misinformed college professors. It wasn't until took a sociology class and we had to write a final paper about "why modern day housekeepers are nothing more than indentured servants" did I realize that I was truly a capitalist at heart. I got an "F" on that paper- because I said that housekeepers were really entrepreneurs in having enough integrity to see a demand and starting a business to fill that demand. The professor wrote on my paper, "There's no room for conservatives in this class." I took it to the head of the school of business and he overwrote my grade. Ha....
4. I cannot sleep with socks on. If I do, I will wake up in a horrible sweat from nightmares. Easy equation: socks = nightmares. So, I go to bed with freezing feet and migrate them over the center line to infiltrate Dave's cocoon. :) (He always yells, but I know he secretly LOVES it. Yes, yes he does...I keep telling him that every night too).
5. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I know eventually I'll have to get a full time job and once again contribute to the financial well-being of this household. I also know that I'm not for sitting in my basement office (without windows) and entering numbers and more numbers. This job is fantastic while my kids are young and in school, but my right brain would probably strangle me if I made a career from it. I am not a left-brained person. I can get by, but it's not my passion. I'd LOVE to find something I'm passionate at and run with a career from there. I don't need to make a lot of money- that's not my god. Just enough to get by. And do something I believe in.
6. I have a photographic memory, but am TERRIBLE at remembering names. I can read a book, and remember what the pages look like when trying to recall a fact or piece of information. Which is why I always did so well at spelling and memory work in school. I can remember faces, but not names. Seriously...there's a lady at church. I keep calling her Vicki. It's not her name. I know it's not her name, but I cannot remember her name. So, I call her Vicki.
7. I am scared of pencilled in eyebrows. Yes, I'm weird. In my whole life, I've only seen ONE person do them correctly- and that was VERY recent. Seriously...if you have pencilled in eye brows, I cannot make eye contact with you. I will seriously stare at them the entire conversation. This is fine if we're talking across the room- you only see I'm looking in the "direction" of your eyes....but up close....well, that gets awkward. But I cannot tear my eyes away. They FREAK ME OUT!
8. I do not consider myself a "trendy" person. As a matter of fact, if you call me trendy, I may just take it as an insult. I would much rather consider myself a practical person with my own sense of style rather than use my family's money to look like everyone else for a season or two. I would have to be so selfish. HOWEVER, I do not consider "trendy" to be a bad thing when talking about others. Weird, huh? As a matter of fact, I have beautiful friends who are ALWAYS in the latest trends, and they are adorable. I actually love and appreciate this about them. Just not for me.
9. I was shocked a few weeks ago to find out that I'm an intimidating person. What the WHAT??? Apparently, my inner strength intimidates people. Sorry...I do have a sense of who I am, and I'm not going to change it. I know what I believe in, I know what I stand for. Sorry if that freaks your wishy-washy butt out. I don't think being a "hot mess" is cool....nor is it anything to brag about. I get overwhelmed, I drop the ball from time to time. I am far from perfect. But, I am who I am. I do my best. That's all I can do. I"m ok with imperfection, I'm ok with "incomplete."
10. I get "gut feelings." I listen to them. I've learned to, at least. I inherit this from my dad. When I was younger, I'd bring a new friend home and he'd sometimes say, "Stay clear of that girl, pumpkin. She's not good news." Of course, being obstinate, I'd disregard his warning and sure enough....I'd get burned. Later in life, I've learned to listen to those gut feelings about people and situations. Friends who I need to keep at an arm's length or people I just need to steer clear from all together. An example of this gut feeling is waaaaay back when I was in college, my grandma was in the hospital. I was in a marketing class...and all of a sudden, I knew I had to call the hospital. I got up, went to the nearest pay phone (this was 1998....), and called the hospital where they told me that my grandmother passed away just a few minutes prior and I missed my mom leaving by mere seconds. I knew she was gone before I even called. The first night that I officially met Dave, I knew he was going to be my husband. Not wishful thinking....I just knew. There was nothing to rush...but we weren't going to dilly dally around it either. When the gut knows, the gut knows.
Do you have funky little quirks that few people know about?
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